Decorative ceiling panel

ABSTRACT

A decorative ceiling panel comprises a transparent front cover, a rear cover and a sheet of material. The rear cover is superimposed on the front cover so as to cooperate with the front cover to form a sheet receiving space. The sheet of material has a decorative design formed on at least one side. The sheet of material is disposed between the front cover and the rear cover in the sheet receiving space. The decorative design of the sheet of material faces the front cover so as to be viewable through the front cover. The front cover and the rear cover engage the sheet of material to maintain the sheet of material between the front cover and the rear cover.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Ceiling panels or tiles are commonly used in combination with a grid system to form the ceiling in office and industrial settings. There are a variety of ceiling systems, such as ceiling suspension systems, exposed grid systems, or concealed mounting systems, which support ceiling panels. The panels used in these systems are usually lightweight and serve to increase light reflectance and sound absorption. However, ceiling panels have typically been plain in construction thereby adding nothing to the aesthetics of a room.

[0004] As such, a variety of methods have been suggested for enhancing the decorative characteristics of certain ceiling panels. One proposal has been to etch a design into the face of a ceiling panel. Stars, moons, clouds, and other designs are carved directly into the face of the ceiling panel. Other methods involve laminating a work of art or design to the outer surface of a ceiling panel with an adhesive. Such decorative ceiling panels allow one to customize a ceiling with different designs.

[0005] A problem encountered when employing such methods is that to replace a decorative panel having a certain design with a decorative panel having a different design requires that one purchase an entirely new panel. This increases cost to the consumer and also takes up needed storage space. In addition, the current decorative panel market has a limited number of designs that may be used to decorate the ceiling of a room.

[0006] To this end, a need exists for a decorative ceiling panel and a method which allows a decorative design to be quickly and easily changed thereby offering a greater selection for the consumer without having to purchase an entirely new decorative panel. It is to such a panel and method that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a decorative ceiling panel constructed in accordance with the present invention shown supported in a ceiling grid.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the decorative ceiling panel.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

[0010]FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the decorative ceiling panel of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a decorative ceiling panel 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown supported by a conventional ceiling grid 12 which is adapted to support a plurality of ceiling panels, such as ceiling panels 14. The ceiling grid 12 may be any type of system adapted to support removable ceiling panels, such as a T-grid or H-grid support system and may utilize ceiling suspension systems, exposed grid systems, or concealed mounting systems. However, it should be understood that any suitable system for supporting ceiling panels 14 may be used to support the decorative ceiling panel 10 of the present invention.

[0012] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the decorative ceiling panel 10 is intended to replace one or more of the ceiling panels 14 and thus enhance the aesthetic appearance of the ceiling. The decorative ceiling panel 10 includes a front cover 16, a rear cover 18, and a sheet of material 20. The front cover 16 has a first end 22, a second end 24, an interior surface 26, and an exterior surface 28. The front cover 16 of the decorative ceiling panel 10 is transparent and is illustrated as being flat so that it is supported by the ceiling grid 12 in a substantially coplanar relationship with respect to the plurality of other ceiling panels 14. However, for decorative purposes, one may also desire the front cover 16 to be concave or convex. It should be understood that the front cover 16 may be of any shaped design or surface pattern that is suitable to be used in the present invention.

[0013] The rear cover 18 has a first end 30, a second end 32, an interior surface 34, and an exterior surface 36. The rear cover 18 is superimposed on the front cover 16 so as to form a sheet receiving space 38. In one embodiment, the front cover 16 and the rear cover 18 of the decorative ceiling panel 10 are formed from a single, transparent piece of material, such as acrylic, that is provided with a fold 40 which connects and biases the front cover 16 to the rear cover 18 so that the front cover 16 and the rear cover 18 will engage the sheet of material 20 to maintain the sheet of material 20 between the front cover 16 and the rear cover 18. In addition, the fold 40 allows the front cover 16 to be separated from the rear cover 18 sufficiently to permit the sheet of material 20 to be selectively inserted into and removed from the sheet receiving space 38 formed by the front cover 16 and the rear cover 18 of the decorative ceiling panel 10. Alternatively, the front cover 16 and the rear cover 18 may be separate pieces, made of the same material or a different material, attached to one another along at least one end by heat welding or with a suitable fastener or adhesive. It will be appreciated that the size of the decorative ceiling panel 10 may be varied in accordance with the dimensions of the ceiling grid 12.

[0014] The front cover 16 and the rear cover 18 may be constructed of acrylic and formed in various thicknesses. Acrylic technology provides a number of advantages to the present invention. Clear acrylic prevents the glare reflected from artificial or natural light. Glare-free coating may be applied to the acrylic cover. Acrylic also has outstanding resistance to the damaging effects of sunlight. Ultraviolet filtering can keep UV light from harming the sheet of material 20, which may be subject to fading. The acrylic may be transparent, translucent, or opaquely colored. Proper cleaning techniques and materials will allow the acrylic to retain its clarity, thus allowing continued clear viewing of the decorative sheet of material 20. However, it will be appreciated that any durable, transparent material may be used for the front cover 16.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 4, the sheet of material 20 has a decorative design 42 formed on at least one side. The sheet of material 20 can be fabricated of paper, film, metal foil, cloth, denim, canvas, or burlap, for example, so long as the sheet of material 20 can be disposed between the front cover 16 and the rear cover 18. It will be appreciated that the decorative design 42 may be a variety of designs, including a variety of different types of artwork, photographs, advertising material, informational material, instructional material, and combinations thereof.

[0016] In use, one or more of the decorative ceiling panels 10 are used to decorate the ceiling of a room. First, at least one of the plurality of ceiling panels 14 is removed by an individual from the ceiling grid 12 used for supporting the plurality of ceiling panels 14. The individual inserts the sheet of material 20 that has the decorative design 42 into the sheet receiving space 38 of the decorative ceiling panel 10. The sheet of material 20 is inserted such that the decorative design 42 is viewable through the front cover 16 of the decorative ceiling panel 10. The decorative ceiling panel 10, containing the sheet of material 20 with the decorative design 42, is then placed by the individual in the location where the ceiling panel 14 was removed from the ceiling grid 12. The decorative ceiling panel 10 is selectively positioned by the individual such that the decorative design 42 of the sheet of material 20 is viewable from within the room.

[0017] It will be appreciated that multiple decorative ceiling panels, each with sheets of material with different decorative designs, can be used to form a mural or mosaic within the ceiling grid 12. It will also be appreciated that one of the advantages of the decorative ceiling panel 10 of the present invention is that the sheet of material 20 may be quickly and easily replaced in the decorative ceiling panel 10 with a variety of different decorative sheets. The individual removes the decorative ceiling panel 10 from the ceiling grid 12 and then removes the sheet of material 20 from the sheet receiving space 38 of the decorative ceiling panel 10. The individual may then replace the sheet of material 20 with a sheet of material having a different design. Once the new decorative sheet of material is replaced within the decorative ceiling panel 10, the decorative ceiling panel 10 is placed into the ceiling grid 12 in the manner discussed above.

[0018] From the above description it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative ceiling panel in combination with a ceiling grid for supporting a plurality of ceiling panels within a room, the decorative ceiling panel comprising: a transparent front cover having a first end, a second end, an interior surface and an exterior surface; a rear cover having a first end, a second end, an interior surface and an exterior surface, the rear cover superimposed on the front cover so as to cooperate with the front cover to form a sheet receiving space; and a sheet of material having a decorative design formed on at least one side thereof, the sheet of material disposed between the front cover and the rear cover in the sheet receiving space formed by the front cover and the rear cover with the decorative design of the sheet of material facing the front cover so as to be viewable through the front cover and the front cover and the rear cover engaging the sheet of material to maintain the sheet of material between the front cover and the rear cover, wherein the decorative ceiling panel is supported in a selected position of the ceiling grid such that the decorative design of the sheet of material is viewable from within the room.
 2. The decorative ceiling panel of claim 1, wherein the ceiling grid is a T-grid support system.
 3. The decorative ceiling panel of claim 1, wherein the front cover and the rear cover are formed as a single piece.
 4. The decorative ceiling panel of claim 3, wherein the front cover may be separated from the rear cover sufficiently to permit the sheet of material to be selectively inserted into and removed from the sheet receiving space formed by the front cover and the rear cover.
 5. The decorative ceiling panel of claim 4, wherein the front cover and the rear cover are formed of acrylic.
 6. The decorative ceiling panel of claim 1, wherein the front cover is flat.
 7. The decorative ceiling panel of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material is supported in a substantially coplanar relationship with respect to adjacent ceiling panels supported by the ceiling grid.
 8. A decorative ceiling panel in combination with a T-grid ceiling grid for supporting a plurality of ceiling panels within a room, the decorative ceiling panel comprising: a transparent, flat front cover having a first end, a second end, an interior surface and an exterior surface; a rear cover having a first end, a second end, an interior surface and an exterior surface, the rear cover superimposed on the front cover so as to cooperate with the front cover to form a sheet receiving space, the front cover and the rear cover being formed from a single, folded piece of acrylic; and a sheet of material having a decorative design formed on at least one side thereof, wherein the front cover may be separated from the rear cover sufficiently to permit the sheet of material to be selectively inserted into and removed from the sheet receiving space formed by the front cover and the rear cover, the sheet of material disposed between the front cover and the rear cover in the sheet receiving space formed by the front cover and the rear cover with the decorative design of the sheet of material facing the front cover so as to be viewable through the front cover and the front cover and the rear cover engaging the sheet of material to maintain the sheet of material between the front cover and the rear cover, wherein the decorative ceiling panel is supported in a selected position of the ceiling grid such that the decorative design of the sheet of material is viewable from within the room.
 9. A method of decorating a ceiling of a room which includes a ceiling grid for supporting a plurality of ceiling panels, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a sheet of material having a decorative design between a transparent front cover and a rear cover with the decorative design facing the transparent front cover thereby forming a decorative ceiling panel; and positioning the decorative ceiling panel in a selected position of the ceiling grid such that the decorative design of the sheet of material is viewable from within the room.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of maintaining the sheet of material between the front cover and the rear cover by engaging the front cover and the rear cover against the sheet of material.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of positioning the decorative ceiling panel in the selected position so that the front panel is supported by the ceiling grid in a substantially coplanar relationship with respect to the ceiling panels.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the front cover is attached to the rear cover and wherein the inserting step further comprises separating the front cover from the rear cover sufficiently to permit the sheet of material to be inserted between the front cover and the rear cover while the front cover and the rear cover remain attached to one another.
 13. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of: removing the decorative ceiling panel from the ceiling grid; removing the sheet of material from between the transparent front cover and a rear cover; inserting a second sheet of material having a different decorative design between the transparent front cover and the rear cover with the decorative design facing the transparent front cover thereby forming a decorative ceiling panel; and positioning the decorative ceiling panel in the selected position of the ceiling grid such that the decorative design of the second sheet of material is viewable from within the room.
 14. A method of decorating a ceiling of a room which includes a ceiling grid and a plurality of ceiling panels supported by the ceiling grid, the method comprising the steps of: removing at least one of the ceiling panels from a selected location of the ceiling grid; inserting a sheet of material having a decorative design between a transparent front cover and a rear cover with the decorative design facing the transparent front cover thereby forming a decorative ceiling panel; and positioning the decorative ceiling panel in a selected position of the ceiling grid such that the decorative design of the sheet of material is viewable from within the room.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of maintaining the sheet of material between the front cover and the rear cover by engaging the front cover and the rear cover against the sheet of material.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of positioning the decorative ceiling panel in the selected position so that the front panel is supported by the ceiling grid in a substantially coplanar relationship with respect to the ceiling panels.
 17. The method of claim 14 wherein the front cover is attached to the rear cover and wherein the inserting step further comprises separating the front cover from the rear cover sufficiently to permit the sheet of material to be inserted between the front cover and the rear cover while the front cover and the rear cover remain attached to one another.
 18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of: removing the decorative ceiling panel from the ceiling grid; removing the sheet of material from between the transparent front cover and a rear cover; inserting a second sheet of material having a different decorative design between the transparent front cover and the rear cover with the decorative design facing the transparent front cover thereby forming a decorative ceiling panel; and positioning the decorative ceiling panel in the selected position of the ceiling grid such that the decorative design of the second sheet of material is viewable from within the room. 